"Access Education Day" Thursday, July 6 ,3 p.m.-6 p.m.

Posted by John B. Kelly

NAG's "Access Education Day," rained out last Friday, will now take place next Thursday, July 6, between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.. We will be gathering at the corner of Huntington and Massachusetts Avenues, near Utrecht art supplies and across from Symphony Hall.

We will be displaying information about what sidewalk access should be, and how awful it actually is. There will be flyers on different issues (like those decorative plastic Duratherm crosswalks), and one poster for every type of access violation by the city -- it may take me a while to figure out the total.

We are hoping for other fun activities, so please check back for updates.

Revised post: Access Education Day now Thursday, July 6

Posted by John B. Kelly

Edited to prevent confusion: Please come join us, Thursday, July 6, 3 p.m.-6 p.m. at the corner of Huntington and Massachusetts avenues, for Access Education Day!

People with disabilities and our allies will be educating the public about the problems with access in the Fenway-Symphony neighborhood, and throughout the city.

We will be showing off our collection of "storyboards," like Stacy Berloff's above.

We will be handing out flyers, hanging out, trying to raise awareness about how frustrating it is to be tortured in your own neighborhood by surfaces like irregular bricks and Duratherm plastic crosswalk, which are many times more expensive than concrete, and ACTUALLY VERY DANGEROUS.

Remember, every time you see a wheelchair user in the street, it is a failure of public safety.

The aesthetic preferences of a few must never outweigh the public safety rights of the many.

STOP THE DRIVE-BYS!

Important people driving by brick sidewalks in love and admiration share the street with disabled people forced to drive by in danger and frustration.

NAG delegation visits City Hall on Thursday, 3 p.m.

Left: Huntington Ave. bricks. Only access is next to the curb

Posted by John B. Kelly

We have asked Mayor Menino over and over to please take out the terrible bricks on Huntington Avenue, and replace them with a concrete path of travel that we can go over safely.

We have asked him, again and again, to meet with us to hear our concerns.

His administration has ignored us , and yesterday workers showed up on Huntington Avenue (in front of Pizzeria Uno) to pull up the bricks, adjust the cross slope , and then put them right back down again. No matter how much better the crossslopes get, people will still not be able to use the sidewalk. These bricks are just that bumpy.

So please come out and join a few of us on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. on City Hall Plaza.

We will visit Mayor Menino's office and deliver photographs of people's storyboards, and any other personal notes or letters that people want to write him (polite, of course).

We will go the extra mile and give him more information about what a problem these bricks are. We will ask whether he has seen our letters, and whether he will look at our latest attempt to communicate with him. We will ask once again for a meeting.

This is all that we can do before we take our case to the public.

Menino Administration Responds to Nag Letter

Posted by John B. Kelly

The Menino administration's response to the NAG letter of June 9 is now in.

Workers from McCourt construction company showed up today on Huntington Avenue, right in front of Pizzeria Uno, and began laboriously pulling up bricks, adjusting the asphalt base underneath, and re-laying the bricks. They placed the bricks on a mixture of cement and sand ("dry pack"), which hardens up when wet.

The workers may be there quite a while, as it is very slow and tedious work resetting bricks like this.

Of course, during construction, access was not maintained.

Really, after everything we have told city officials about our problems with brick, how can they just keep on ignoring us, keep on wasting everyone's money on these terrible bricks?

Because they can, I guess.

More updates coming soon as we plan a response.

Elevator 851

Posted by John B. Kelly

I was on my way to drop off a letter with a NAG member this afternoon, when I thought I would take a shortcut to Ruggles Street by way of Forsyth Street. It is never a good idea to try a new way when you are a wheelchair user, but I thought I would just roll through or around Ruggles Station. What could be the problem?

First problem is that Northeastern University has taken over Forsyth Street on both sides of Huntington Avenue, and a few years ago installed uneven brick sidewalks. This means that I have to take the street from its beginning at Hemenway Street. Unfortunately for me, the street is almost worse because of its unbelievably steep crown and mine field of potholes. Won't make that mistake again. Forsyth Street sidewalks across Huntington Avenue are also unusable due to bricks and crossslopes, so I stay in the street some more.

I finally go up onto the sidewalk when I come smack into Ruggles Station, which does not promise easy passage. The security guard instructs me to take the elevator up one level to get through. It turns out that both sides of the station have huge flights of stairs, so I surrender to the prospect of a rapidly un-shortening shortcut.

A gruff station worker, who has poked his head out out the door to listen to the security guard and me, leads me to the single elevator. We board , and I see that our choice of levels is between "Street" and "Lobby."

Now which button do you think indicates the lower level at Forsyth Street and which the upper level for the track platform and Ruggles Street? Extra credit question: inside the Mass Ave. Orange line station elevator, there are also "Street" and "Lobby" buttons. Which one do you think equals the lower-level platform, and which one the upper-level entrance/exit on Mass Ave.?

All these buttons are raised and marked with Braille, but wrong and confusing information is still wrong and confusing. And insulting.

Inside the elevator, the station worker can not get the door to close. We try a few more times, without luck. So he dials the service number outside the elevator, and probably because his English isn't fluent, leaves me to tell the operator that no, no one is stuck in the elevator, but it won't move and its number is 851. The operator promises to send someone over.

Meanwhile, the station worker is done with me, and is striking up a conversation with some passersby.

I try going left out of the station, navigate to Leon St., where I again take the street because of more brick sidewalks. I finally reach my destination on Ruggles Street, 10 minutes late.

This is just a typical adventure wheelchair users have on the streets of Boston. By its self, this story is barely worth repeating, but it contributes in its own little way to an overall experience of demoralization.

Galeen Jones hates brick sidewalks

Posted by John B. Kelly

Galeen Jones has lived in the West Fens for over 20 years.

Galeen has been active from the start of our campaign against the Huntington Ave. bricks. At the January 3, 2005 Massachusetts Architectural Access Board hearing regarding Huntington Avenue, she testified

When I see bricks, I know I'm going to get dizzy and possibly incontinent.

Boston Herald writer Jack Meyers ("Disabled Bostonians seek ban on brick sidewalks," 1/4/05) reported

that the rattling she gets going over the recently installed bricks on Huntington Avenue sidewalks ``are the bumpiest'' she's ever felt.

On last year's access tour in the Fenway, Galeen said:

Huntington Avenue is like a four letter word to me.

This sums it up perfectly.

On her storyboard, she also wrote:

I don't believe Menino's priority is public safety. They see their priorities elsewhere.

I like to go fast when I'm in my wheelchair because I go so slow in my walker.

The vibration and the bumps make me dizzy and give me motion sickness.

The bricks can make me be incontinent.

NAG's Second Letter to Mayor Menino

Posted by John B. Kelly

This letter was hand-delivered to Mayor Menino's office last Friday, June 9.

June 6, 2006

Mayor Thomas M. Menino
1 City Hall Plaza
Boston, MA 02201

Dear Mayor Menino:

Once again, we local residents with disabilities ask to meet with you. Your administration's policies regarding sidewalks and crosswalks continue to rob our neighborhoods of access. We need to remind you that "we live here too" and deserve the same respect due every citizen of Boston.

We have been trying -- and trying -- to get our voices heard about the irregular and dangerous bricks on Huntington Avenue since installation began in 2003. The bricks endanger everyone who uses a wheelchair, scooter, cane, or walker for mobility, as well as visually impaired and elderly people. Yet your administration has ignored our message in meetings, hearings, protests, a petition, and our recent letter of May 1, which also requested a meeting with you.

Two years ago, NAG and the Boston Center for Independent Living filed an access complaint about Huntington Avenue before the Massachusetts Architectural Access Board. Unfortunately, your administration has not taken the AAB's process or rulings seriously: over the last 18 months, the city has missed two compliance deadlines, and is now being fined $500 per day retroactive to last November 30, pending compliance by July 1, 2006. Members of the board expressed their concern that the city's inaction constituted "willful noncompliance."

We do not understand why your Department of Public Works continues to insist on wasting city money to lay and re-lay these terrible bricks, which force us into the street, put us in physical danger, and often prevent us from using Huntington Avenue altogether. Please take this opportunity to do the right thing by installing a smooth concrete path of travel along Huntington Avenue, with bricks serving only as a decorative accent strip.

Last August 10 when you announced the Symphony Area Streetscape Project, you interrupted your speech to address a group of us holding signs against the brick:

"You're gonna be part of this planning process, though, as we move forward. We understand your issues about bricks and sidewalks, so we're gonna work with you. Vineet from the transportation department -- our planner -- is committed to it."

But in spite of our strongest objections, your Transportation Department plans to surround Symphony Hall with Duratherm™ plastic-imprint crosswalks, the same ones installed last summer along Huntington Avenue without consulting the elderly and disabled residents who would be impacted. These Duratherm crosswalks function like turnpike rumble strips in how they vibrate people using wheelchairs and scooters. We are told that many people like how the Duratherm looks, but given your oft-stated commitment to "public safety," we question how some people's expensive tastes can possibly outweigh our physical safety. Are we not part of the "public"?

We repeat our urgent request to meet with you.

Please do not ignore us any more. Let's work together to repair the damage done on Huntington Avenue, and to fashion a Symphony Area Streetscape design that includes access for everyone.

We expect to hear from you within two weeks.

Sincerely,

Pam Beeler, Symphony Plaza

Eileen Brewster, Ruggles

Maureen Cancemi, Symphony Plaza

Gary Devino, Fenway

Jeannette Ector, Fenway

Jack Grieco, Symphony Plaza

John Healy, Fenway

Galeen Jones, Fenway

John B. Kelly, Fenway

Tim Kunzier, Brookline

James Magee, Huntington Avenue

Richard Nurt, Symphony Plaza

Karen Nurt, Symphony Plaza

Alyson Perry, Brookline

Karen Schneiderman, Symphony Plaza

Jamie Simpson, Back Bay

Billie Tyler, Symphony Plaza

Janice Ward, South End

Carolyn Crockett Funeral Service Friday

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, June 2 at 1:30 pm in Christ Episcopal Church, 1132 Highland Ave., Needham. Relatives and friends are kindly invited. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Uphams Corner Health Center, 415 Columbia Rd., Dorchester, MA 02125-2424 or the Special Olympics, 1133 19th St. NW, Washington, DC 20036. To send a note of condolence www.eatonfuneralhomes.com

Obituary forwarded by Carl Koechlin

Carolyn D. Crockett--Of Boston on May 25, 2006. She is survived by her beloved nephew Zachary Kern and his mother Shannon and was the daughter of Renee Crockett Rehn and was predeceased by her father David Crockett and stepfather Robert Rehn. Sister of Richard of WI, Paul of ME, and Dana Drury of Dunstable and is also survived by 6 step brothers and sisters and many other nieces and nephews.

Job Opening: NAG Access Coordinator

Posted by John B. Kelly

Neighborhood Access Group (NAG) seeks a part-time Access Coordinator for its Fenway Access Enforcement Project, as part of its mission to bring full street-level access to the Fenway neighborhood and surroundings.

NAG formed 5 years ago as an alliance of disabled and nondisabled people to demand respect for access civil rights. We work for smooth and safe sidewalks, prompt snow removal, and the end of all-brick sidewalks, so that people are no longer forced to choose between dangerous travel in the street or stay home. Our accomplishments include the removal of cobble stone crosswalks from the Fenway, winning state orders against a scoflaw city of Boston, and educating the public through local newspapers and TV about the reckless use of bricks. More information is available at the NAG website.

Fenway Access Enforcement Project

Although the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was passed almost 15 years ago, much of Boston’s streetscape remains inaccessible to people with disabilities. The Fenway Access Enforcement Project is a step towards changing this situation, using one small neighborhood as a model of community participation to ensure access for everyone. The Access Coordinator will carry out the project by documenting violations of state access codes, filing complaints, and following the complaint process through hearings and on to resolution. The coordinator will assist in organizing community participation in the project.

The coordinator will work as a consultant with NAG chair John Kelly and other NAG volunteers. Hours will be variable, but typically about 15-20 hours per week. Except for necessary meetings, the coordinator will set their own schedule, at $15 per hour.

Position could be a summer job at 10-12 weeks, a longer position through the fall, or the job could be shared by two people. Position could begin immediately.

Job Requirements:

Measure and photograph sidewalk environments.

File complaints, attend Architectural Access Board hearings, which are always on Mondays.

Assist in organizing access events, coordinating volunteers, etc.

Computer, Web site managing, and photography skills a plus.

Other tasks depending upon skills and changing circumstances.

Project coordinator must have:

A demonstrated commitment to social justice.

Good communication and organization skills.

Ability to work alone and with others, in various settings.

Application:

Submit a letter of interest and include any relevant experience. Résumés are welcome.

People with disabilities strongly encouraged to apply. Send to:

John.B.Kelly@Verizon.net

or

John Kelly

66 The Fenway #22

Boston, MA 02115